Israel boosts military readiness, approves combat plans for Lebanon offensive

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday that plans for an offensive against Lebanon have been approved, and a decision was made to "constantly increase the military readiness" of ground forces. Israel warned that it would not tolerate the presence of the Lebanese Hezbollah at its northern border, reports the Times of Israel.

"Operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved," the army's statement reads.

The head of the northern command of the Israeli forces, General Ori Gordin, and the head of the operational command, General Oded Basiuk, approved the combat action plans - reports the Times of Israel.

On the night from Thursday to Friday, Lebanese Hezbollah launched at least 30 drones towards the headquarters of Israel's northern command in a coordinated strike, which was the largest drone attack by this group on the Jewish state so far. The Lebanese group also launched approximately 100 rockets, which was also the largest attack of this kind since Hezbollah began bombarding Israel after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.

So far, U.S. diplomatic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has avoided war with Lebanon. Still, in recent weeks, tension on the northern border of the Jewish state has steadily risen. Israel announced that if this problem is not resolved by diplomatic means, it will attempt to push Hezbollah northwards through a military operation, the Times of Israel recalls.